🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a mere four weeks on, he is the hottest forward in England after netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His latest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its latter stages. However, the data supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry Yet, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is right now considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was said. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a mere four weeks on, he is the hottest forward in England after netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His latest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its latter stages. However, the data supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry Yet, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is right now considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was said. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."